Environment

As part of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, extensive work has determined environmental impacts and mitigation measures to reduce those impacts. Our goal is to protect the environment, have as little impact as possible and, where we do have an impact, ensure we return the land to a similar function.

Ultimately, we can’t put the land back exactly the way it was. However, where we disrupt farm land, we will ensure it is returned to farm land, or where we disrupt wetland habitats, we will ensure these are returned to their pre-construction function. We also look for opportunities to leave a legacy for the communities around the pipeline and facilities. This legacy could include walking trails, cross-country ski trails or other enhancements so locals can enjoy the resulting right-of-way.

Since 2012, our environmental team has been out in the field studying a wide range of environmental features, including plants, soils, wildlife, species at risk and traditional land use. Following the field studies, we conducted extensive analysis to predict the effects associated with the Project, including those that could be caused by construction, operations, decommissioning or abandonment, as well as potential accidents and malfunctions. The studies and plans created as part of the Facilities Application can all be found in Volume 5 and Volume 6 here.

These studies informed the more than 35 environmental plans Trans Mountain developed in order to fulfill National Energy Board conditions.